Fouling Status

Abstract

A first temperature value indicating a temperature near a heat source, a second temperature value indicating a temperature near an outer end of a cooling rib extending from the heat source, and a third temperature value indicating an ambient temperature in the location of the heat source are used to determine fouling status.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving a first temperature value indicating a temperature near a heat source, a second temperature value indicating a temperature near an outer end of a cooling rib extending from the heat source, and a third temperature value indicating an ambient temperature in the location of the heat source;   determining, using at least the received first, second and third temperature values, a convection rate indicator value;   determining, using the convection rate indicator value, fouling status of cooling ribs cooling the heat source; and   triggering a maintenance alert when the fouling status is dirty.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining the fouling status comprises:
 comparing the convection rate indicator value to a preset threshold; and   determining that the fouling status is dirty when the convection rate is below the preset threshold.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the convection rate indicator value using a distance between measurement points of the first and second values.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 maintaining information on whether a dirty status has been set;   when the dirty status has not been set, performing determining the convection rate indicator value and the fouling status; and   setting, when triggering the maintenance alert, the dirty status.   
     
     
         5 . An arrangement comprising at least:
 a heat source;   a plurality of cooling ribs, extending from the heat source, arranged to cool the heat source;   a first temperature sensor near the heat source to measure first temperature values;   a second temperature sensor near an outer end of a cooling rib, at a distance from the first temperature sensor to measure second temperature values;   an ambient air temperature sensor to measure third temperature values in an environment at a location the heat source is; and   a fouling status determination unit configured to obtain the first temperature values, the second temperature values and the third temperature values to determine fouling status of the cooling ribs.   
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the fouling status determination unit is configured to:
 determine convection rate indicator values using at least the first temperature values, the second temperature values, and the third temperature values;   determine, using the convention rate values, the fouling status; and   to trigger a maintenance alert when the fouling status is determined to be dirty.   
     
     
         7 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a slat between two cooling ribs, wherein the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensors are attached to the slat.   
     
     
         8 . The arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein the slat is a hollow metal casing, and the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are embedded in the hollow metal casing. 
     
     
         9 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the fouling status determination unit is configured to obtain the temperature values periodically. 
     
     
         10 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the heat source is an electric motor within a motor frame and the plurality of cooling ribs are extending from the motor frame, arranged to cool the electric motor. 
     
     
         11 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , further comprising a terminal box for the electric motor, wherein the ambient air temperature sensor is attached to the outer surface of the terminal box. 
     
     
         12 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , further comprising a motor controller unit connectable to the temperature sensors and including the fouling status determination unit. 
     
     
         13 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a micro controller unit connectable to the temperature sensors for obtaining the temperature values; and   a remote control unit connectable to the micro controller unit to obtain the temperature values, the remote control unit including the fouling status determination unit.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one interface configured to receive a first temperature value indicating a temperature near a heat source, a second temperature value indicating a temperature near an outer end of a cooling rib extending from the heat source, and a third temperature value indicating an ambient temperature in the location of the heat source;   at least one processor; and   at least one memory storing instructions,   wherein the at least one memory and the instructions configure, with the at least one processor, the apparatus at least to:
 determine, using at least the received first, second and third temperature values, a convection rate indicator value; 
 determine, using the convection rate indicator value, fouling status of cooling ribs cooling the heat source; and 
 trigger a maintenance alert when the fouling status is dirty. 
   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions configure, with the at least one processor, the apparatus to determine the fouling status at least by:
 comparing the convection rate indicator value to a preset threshold; and   determining that the fouling status is dirty when the convection rate indicator value is below the preset threshold.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions configure, with the at least one processor, the apparatus to determine the convection rate indicator value using also a distance between measurement points of the first and second values. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions configure, with the at least one processor, the apparatus at least to:
 maintain information on whether a dirty status has been set;   when the dirty status has not been set, perform determining the convection rate indicator value and the fouling status; and   set, when triggering the maintenance alert, the dirty status.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is a micro controller unit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is a portable user device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is a server in a service center, which is remote to the heat source.